Heat-generating apparatus



Feb. 1, 1927. 1,618,271 W. J. MADDRELL HEAT GENERATI NG APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, L925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 My! WI Feb 1, 1927. 1,616,271 w. J. MADDRELL HEAT GENERATI NG APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q o v N a Lg MMWM Patented Feb. 1, 1927 WALTER J. MADDRELL, 0F

l,6l6,27l PATENTVOFFICE.

HEAT-GENERATING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 3, 1925. Serial No. 346.

This invention relates to certain improvements in heat generating apparatus; and the nature and be readily recognized and understood by those skilled in the art to which it relates in the light of the following explanation and detailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I at present consider to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressions of the invention from among various other forms, arrange.- ments, combinations and constructions of which the invention is capable within the spirit and scope thereof. 1

The inventlon -is particularly directed to heat generating apparatus of the oil burning type adapted for application .to and use in conjunction with the furnaces, boilers and the like of conventional or other heating plants and apparatus, as a substitute for and to take the place of the usual solid or other fuel fires maintained therein for supplying heat thereto; and one of the main and fundamental objects of the present in- P vention is to provide such heat generating apparatus in which a high degree of efficiency in operation is attained through the generation "of a maximum amount of heat from a minimum quantity of fuel and with relatively small loss of heat generated from .the apparatus. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide heat generating apparatus of the oil burning type which is of simple efficient arrangement and-construction and is positive in operation with minimum possibility of failure through stoppage of fuel'flow.

Another object of the invention is to provide oil burning heat generating apparatus in which the dangers attendant a failure in the proper operation and flow of the oil from the source of supply to the point of combustion are reduced to a minimum. and substantially eliminated.

A further object of the invention is (to provide heat generating apparatus of the Oll burning type in which steam is generated and utilized in the vaporization of the oil for combustion.

A still further object of the invention is to provide oil burning heat generating apparatus in which steam is generated and employed in vaporizing the fuel for combustion, with means for utilizing the steam is to increase combustion an c p nd ngly objects of the invention willincrease or augment the amountpf heat generated by the apparatus. 7

A further feature and characteristic of y the invention resides in the provision of a novel method of combustion and heat gen -eration in heatgenerating apparatus of the oil burning type.

With the foregoing general objects, and certain other objects and results in yiew, which other objects and results will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following explanation, the invention consists in certaln novel features inconstruction and 1n combinatlon's and arrangements of elements, as will be more fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter. f

Referring to the accompanying'drawings: Fig. '1, is a vertical sectionalview through the heat generating apparatus embodying the invention, and showing more or less diagrammaticall an arrangement of oil supply tanks an supply line therefrom. 4

Fig. oil supply control valve.

2, 1s a detail view in elevation of the 1g. 3, 1s a view, more or less diagrammatical, in side elevation of heat generating apparatus. embodying the invention, as applied to a heating furnace to supply heat thereto.

An embodiment of the invention particularly adapted for use in supplying heat to the furnace of a heating plant or system, as a substitute for the usual fire within the furnace, is disclosed in the accompanying drawings purely by way of example and not of limitation, to permit of explaining the .principles tion. However, the invention is capable of other embodiments and adapted to other and various features of the invenuses and applications, than the embodiment and use presentedherewith, as will be readily apparent to those familiar with this art.

The heat generator of the invention, referring now to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings in particular, embodies a base portion 1, formed of the spaced inner and outer semi-spherical walls 1 and 1, connected and closed at the lower ends thereof by the ring or annular plate 1,

"to provide the dome-like water reservoir having the water I by the-annu ar plate or ring 2. The upper viding a cylindrical passage upwardly through the structure from the space therebeneath, and the outer wall 1 is formed wlth. the annular vertical extension 1, concentric with and spaced from the extension 1. An annular plate or ring 1 is mounted over. and connecting the upper ends of the wall extensions 1 and 1 to close the upper end of the water reservoir-formed by the base 1. Any suitable or desired door oropenlng (not shown) is provided through the side walls 1 and 1 of base 1-, to permit of access to. the space within and enclosed by the water reservoir forming base, as will be readily understood.

Inner and outer concentric and-spaced c linders 2? and 2 are mounted in vertically sposed position on the-upper end plate 1 "of the-reservoir'base l with the lower end of thes ace between the cylinders closed end of the spacebetween the cylinders 2 and 2 is closed by a ring or plate 2, to provide a closed'steamspaceor chamber 2 between these cylinders, which 'form the vertically disposed steam case' 2. The space within the inner cylinder 2*" isin communication at the lower end with the space he neat-h base or reservoir 1, through the vertical cylindrical extension 1, and the space in cylinder 2 forms andprovides the combustion space or chamber 3, surrounded and enclosed by the steam chamber 2. A steam generating coil 12 is disposed vertically within the combustion chamber 3, and extends upwardly through chamber 3 from the lower end thereof, through which it is,

in communication with the water-space 1 of reservoir 1 by a bore or opening in plate 1, to the upper end ofchamber 3, and then downwardly to and discharging into the lower end of the steam chamber 2 formed between cylinders 2 and'2".'

. mounted and fixed t Isteam space 6,

. A heat conducting flue or conduit 4 is the upper end of the anelhow 1, with and lateral or radial continuation of the'combustion chamber 3 of the steam case The elbow 1? steam case'2 by means 0 of the hue of conduit 4- is provided with a' jacket 4 there-around closed at the lower end thereof adjacent steam case 2 by a plate formingthe superheating- The space or chamber 6 y jacket 49 around the elbow 4?,

orme I a is placed in-"conununicationiwith the steam plate 2 of steam case,

chamber" 2 of' s'tean'ilcase 2b the alined bores 2 and 4 formed throng upper end 2, and the lower end closure plate 4" of jacket 4, respectively, as at I Fig. 1' of the? accom any1ng awm v '-The water reservoir dr base 1 0i the generator is an plied with water from a suitxable service through a pipe or 'con- .servic e pipe 11 discharging the water space 1 of reservoir or base 1.

water from a thereinto and controlledby a float operated valve 13 of the usual or any other desired type for maintainin a constant level or supply of water in the tank 10, as will be'readily understood. To insure proper functioning of valve 13 to-maintain the desired supply or level of. water in tank 10, a pressure equalizing-pipe extends from the upper end of tank 10, through'the steam case 2, and discharges into the steam generating coil .12 within thectimbustion chamber or-space 3. .An .oil burner 8 is mounted and disposed within the space enclosed by the reservoir forming base 1, beneath the passage through the cylindrical extension 1' opening into the combustion chamber 3, and is formed withan oil well 8 therewithin having an oil discharge nozzle 8 exteriding vertically therefrom beneath and in. alinement with the passage through 1. The upper side of the burner 8 is formed to provide a shallow oil receptacle 8, surroundingthe oil dis: charge nozzles.

Oil is supplied The tank 10 is supplied with to the well 8" of the burner 8 from a main supply tank 15 and a servicetank 16 'mounted therebelow and receiving oil therefrom through the .pipe- 17 which and when the level falls and exposes theend of pipe 17 the oil will again flow from tank 15 'to raise the level of oil in the service tank to the desired point. An overflow pipe 18 is pr 'ovided from the service tank 216 to any desired point, to carry off excess oil from tank'l6 in the event of failure of the body of oil in tank 16 to cutoff the flow through-pipe 17 as for example by the entrance of excess airto the main tank 15 and continued flow of oil through pipe 17 after immersion by the bqdy of oil in the service tank. 16, the oil is fed by gravity to the oil well of ,he oil burner 8'by pipe19, flow controlling or'level maintaining valve 20,aud pi pe21 which discharges into the bottom of the oil well through the bore or port 8'. The/flow controlling or level maintain From the service tank' 8! reaches a-predeterminedpoint, and of v permitting flow of oil to such well when the level falls below the desired predetermined point, .Such types of valve are well the steam admitted. to,

\. well 8" and nozzle 8 chamber 3 within the steam case 2.

, renewable if desired or as found tamed by valve 20, and the tank 10 is operated to maintain the water into steam with which it is in communication known and understood and any of the conventional types familiar in the art may be employed or other types capabie of securing the desired results.

A steam chamber 8* is formed in the burner 8 beneath'the oil well 8" and is provided with a .discharge nozzle 8 extending vertically through the well and discharging thereinto above the maintained level of oiln'n the well, this nozzle 8 be ing below and vertically alined with the oil discharge nozzle 8 so as to, discharge therethrough. A superheated steam pipe, 7 extends from the steam" chamber 8 of burner 8, upwardly through the combustion cham her 3, to the superheating steam chamber 6 and from which it receives superheated steam through the bore or port 4. A needle valve 22 is mounted in'the steam jacket 4 to control pipe 7 through the port 4, and is accessible on the exterior of the jacket 4 for adjustment. superheated steam is discharged from, chamber 6, the quantity being controlled by needle valve 22, through pipe 7, chamber 8 and nozzle 8, and then through oil into the combustion \Vithin the elbow 4 of the heat conducting fine or conduit 4, a series of iron. points or fingers 4* are mounted depending from the upper wall thereof above the combustion chamber 3 of .the steam case 2, for a purpose appearing and explained hereinafter. These iron. fingers or points 4 are preferably so mounted as to be replaceable or expedient.

In operation of the heat generating apparatus above described as carrying out the method of combustion and heat generation of the present invention, the oil supply tanks 15 and 16 are rendered operative to supply oil to the oil well 8 of burner 8, the level of which is automatically mainwater supply supply in the space 1 of the reservoir forniing dome or base 1 of the apparatus. To start the combustion of fuel and heat generation, the shallowreceptacle 8'o1,1 the top of .the burner is filled with oil and ig-' nited, and the heat generated thereby passes through the chamber 3 and around thesteam coil 12 therein with the resulting generation of steam which passes therethrough chamber 2, su rheating chamber 6, pipe 7, steam cham r 8 of burner 8, and then through the oil well 8 where itaids and assists in thevaporization of oil therein and discharges with the vapor- 'ized oil through nozzle 8, where the oil er 8 passes upwardly through cham- Thus,

discharged from fu her 3, generating steam in coil 12, and outwardly through elbowj 4" and flue'4 to .the point of consumption and use, superheating the steam in chamber 6 of' elbow 4 as it passes therethrough. Once the oil is vaporized and ignited by the priming or startlng charge in receptacle 8 of the burner and steam is generated in coil 12, theoperastopped b shuttin off the su ly of oil to the buaer. Th e steam chaiiiber 8 of the burner beneath the body of oil in the oil well 8" beats the oil and assists in the vaporization thereof and discharge from the well by the steam from the nozzle 8. 'Eflicient combustion of the oil is secured by the vaporization and discharge through the action of the steam projected under pres-' sure upwardly through the well above the surface of the oil therein.

Another feature of the invention provides an added 'step in the process of com.-

tlon becomes continuous and automatic until bustion to increase and augment the heat generated, by utilizing the hydrogen from the steam injected into the chamber 3 from the burner. The heat generated by the combustion of the 'oil passesthrough elbow 4- and heats the iron fingers 4 to incandes-' ceneeor a dull or cherry red heat, with the result that as the steam from the nozzle 8 of burner 8 comes into contact with this incandescent or heated iron, the hydrogen in the steam is liberated and ignited with the resulting increase in combustion and heat generated and delivered to flue4 by the apparatus.

In Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings, a possible application and use of the embodiment of the invention presented herewith is disclosed. A conventional or other furnace, boiler or the like 5, of a heating plant or system is shownas including the usual fire door or the like 5 by which access is bad to the fire box or combustion chamber thereof in which a fire is maintained to supply the ,desired heat. With the apparatus of the invention, the heat flue or conduit- 4 is mounted discharging through the fire ,door opening into the furnace 5 to supply heat-thereto in place of the usual fire. The heat generating apparatus with the oil and water supply tanks and lines is mounted at any convenient or desired point, such for example as the disposition more or less diagrammatically indicated by Fig. 3, andthe operation thereofand method of combustion and heat generation is carried out in the manner hereinbefore described.

With the invention tus and method of combustion as set forth efiicient operation and resulting heat generation is secured. The guarded by the automat-cally controlled el and water supply and due to the simplicity of the apparatus positive operation is involving the apparaa paratus is safeobtained with a minimum possibility of failure in 'operation. The invention is not restricted to the embodment of the apparatus shown or the use thereof disclosed, as it is adapted to various other uses and embodiments where the generation of heat may be desired.

' It is also evidentthat various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention,

l and hence I do not desire to limit myself to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legally possible, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: i

1. In heat generating apparatus, an oil burner, means for supplying oil thereto, a water reservoir, a steam chamber, a steam generating coil extending from said reservoir to said chamber and heated by said burner, and'a steam line from said chamber .to the burnerto vaporize the oil in the burner for combustion thereby. I

2. In heat generating apparatus, an oil burner, means for supplying oil thereto, a

water reservoir, a steam drying chamber,

-a steam superheating chamber in communication with the drying chamber, a steam generating coil heated by said burner ex: tending from the reservoir to and discharging into said drying chamber, and a steam line from said superheating chamber to the burner for vaporizing oil therein for combustion thereby.

3, In heat generating apparatus, an oilburner, oil supply means therefor, a water reservoir surrounding said burner, a combustion chamber above said burner and reservoir open to the burner through-tbe reservoir, a steam chamber surrounding said combustion chamber, a heat conduit for conducting heat from said combustion chamber, a

steam coil extending through said combustlon chamber from the reservoir to the steam.

chamber, and a steamline from'the steam chamber to saidburner for supplying steam to vaporize the oil for combustion by the burner.

4. In heat generating apparatus, an oil burner, means for supplying oil thereto, a

water reservoir, a combustion chamber for i said burner. a steam chamber surrounding the combustion chamber and in communication with said reservoir, and means for sup-- plyingsteam from said steam chamber to and projecting steam through said burner to vaporize the oil therein for combustion thereby, the steambeing discharged by the M burner into said combustion chamber.v

, burner, means for en 5. In heat generating pparatus, 'an oil plying oil thereto, a

combustion chamber or'said burner, a con-v duit from" said chamber, means for generat and downwardly burner,

the combustion chamber and a steam line exing and projecting steam through said burner to vaporize the oil-for combustion thereby, said burner projecting the steam into said chamber, hydrogen from the steam in said chamber for ignition and combustion therein.

6. In heat generating apparatus, an oil burner, means for supplying oil thereto,

a combustion chamber for said burner, meansfor generating and projecting steam through said burner to vaporize the oil therein for and means for liberating combustion thereby, said burner discharging the steam into said chamber, andmeans embodying a series of chamber heated ther in for contact by the steam and liberation nd combustion of the hydrogen from the steam.

7. In a method of combustion and heat generation, those steps. which consist in igniting. and burning fuel oil, generating steam by the combustion of the oil, heating the oil to vaporize the same for combustion by the generated steam, projecting steam upwardly through and above the steamheated oil to draw the vaporized oil therefrom for combustion, heating iron by the *combustion of the oil, bringing the proiron elements in said jected steam in contactwvith the heated iron I i burner, a water reservoir surrounding said a combustion chamber. above said burner, a steam chamber surrounding the combustion chamber, a steam coil extending from the upper part of the reservoir upwardly through the combustion chamber to the lower end of the steam chamber, and a steam line extending burner,

through the combustion chamber from the steam chamber to said burner.

10. In heat generating apparatus, an oil burner, a water reservoir surrounding said burner, a combustion chamber above the combustion chamber and formed w1th a steam superheating chamber at the upper end thereof, a steamicoil extending through frbm the reservoir to the steam chamber,

tending through the combustion chamber from the superheating chamber to said 011 burner.

hydrogen, and then igniting a water reservoir surrounding said. i

a steam chamber surrounding the r 2! hydrogen; from 11. In heat generating apparatus, an oil burnerinc-luding a steam chamber for heating the oil, a water reservoir surrounding said burner, a combustion chamber above said burner, a steam chamber surrounding said combustion chamber, a heat conduit extending from and in communication w 1th the combustion chamber, a superheatlng steam chamber surrounding the inner end of said conduitin-communication with the steam chamber, a steam coil extending through the combustion chamber steam chamber to the reservoir,-and a steam line extending through the combustion chamber m the superheatin chamber to the steam chamber of said oilurner.

12. In heat generating apparatus, in combination, an oil burner, acombustion chamber therefor, a steam chamber surrounding the combustion chamber, means for discharging steam into and through the-com.- bustion chamber, and iron mem in the combustion chamber for heating therein and contact of steam to liberate the the steam. 7

from the b combustion chamber, anda series of iron members. disposed in the combustion 'cham=.

her for heating and contact by the steam therein to liberate the hydrogen therefrom for combustion. a v

14. In heat generating apparatus, an oil steam chamber surr chamber, a heat conduit extending from the outer end of the combustion chamber, means for projecting-steam into and through the combustion chamber, and a series of iron members within the conduit for heating thereinand contact with combustion chamber to liberate. and burn the hydrogen therefrom. a

Signed at 'Minneapolis, Minnesota, this 8th day of December, 1924.

WALTER J. MADDRELIL.

urner, a combustion chamber therefor, a unding the combustion the steam from the 

